Bliss

IT’S. FINALLY. HERE.

This series is something I’ve been dreaming up for awhile now, and I’ll talk more about why I put off this series for a few months. But I’m excited to share my three-post series on making a Vision Board that will ACTUALLY help you achieve your goals. If you want to make all your #GirlBoss Goals come to life, you’re definitely going to want to stop back all-month long for a ton of bliss. Cause let me tell you, when you achieve your goals, bliss is the only word that comes to mind.

There will be three different posts in this series on Mondays on the blog. Today’s post will be about the back story of:

1| How I first created my own vision board before I even knew what it was.

2| My previous success using Vision Boards.

3| Why I’ve been using them ever since.

In next week’s post, you’ll see more on physically creating the board itself that will set you and your goals up for success and some topics you can add to your board. And in the last post, I’ll show my own vision board that I have for myself for the next three years.

So let’s get into all this vision board talk so YOU can achieve YOUR goals!

Okay, but for real, what even is a vision board?

The simple answer: a vision board is a board you create that outlines your goals. You can create it on poster board, bulletin board, etc. or you can make a digital version and save them on your computer if you also want it handy when you’re at work. There are so many ways to create a vision board, but the goal is to have a place where all your goals and motivations are highlighted.

Fun Fact: I created a vision board before I knew what it was.

No, seriously…that happened. I’m a quotes/motivational messages girl. I always had inspiration sayings on my bulletin board and lists of my goals so that I always had some motivation to keep working hard. Spring semester freshmen year was a whirlwind for me, but I knew I had some goals that were intertwined with my quotes. Take note of these few goals:

1| Graduate in 3 years with distinction

2| Get my Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications

3| Minor in Spanish

4| Study Abroad in Italy

5| Focus on Internships

After my sophomore year of college, I was packing up my room and taking down some my bulletin board. It had photos of Italy, quotes in Spanish, pictures of magazines, quotes to motivate me to continue my education, etc.

It was in that moment I realized my GOALS and DREAMS became a reality. I received my acceptance letter to begin my Master’s in the fall (my third year of school). Which leads me to my next point: I committed to graduating in three years by my sophomore year because I was about to spend the summer in ITALY in order to graduate early with my B.A. and minor in Spanish. Oh wait, and I secured two AMAZING INTERNSHIP opportunities for the summer that I was excited for.

Are you picking up what I’m putting down?

I connected the dots rather quickly, and realized this bulletin board had magical powers.

Just kidding. The board didn’t have magical powers. But I went out searching the Internet for “Goal Bulletins” and “Goal Planners” and such because I was feeling amazing about meeting these goals after a year. That’s when I stumbled across Vision Boards. I remember sitting in my room shrieking, “OHMYGOD THAT’S IT! THAT’S WHAT I MADE!”

And I’ve never looked back.

So now you’re like, okay Kiara you made one vision board and now you expect us to believe making one will work for us?

Yes, girl. I do. Because listen up: I made another vision board shortly after with a new set of goals over the span of a few months:

1| Graduating Summa Cum Laude with my Master’s.

2| Start a full-time marketing job I love.

3| Find my first home and move in with Josh

4| Focus on health and and fitness

And I accomplished those goals, too. And, no. I didn’t play it safe with my goals either. I laid down another tall order that seemed rather impossible, but that’s the problem—it always seems impossible until it’s done.

That’s why I am writing this series. That’s why I want you to read this series—so you realize YOUR dreams and YOUR goals ARE POSSIBLE.

So, you have two choices. You can continue to sleep with your dreams. Or you can wake up and chase them. (After you read the next two posts in my series on how to create a vision board that will actually help you achieve your goals.)

Next week, I’ll be sharing how to create a vision board that will actually help you achieve your goals. And the following week I’ll be sharing my current, updated vision board for the next three years.

So tell me, have you created a vision board? Has it worked for you in the past? Would you be open to creating a new one using the tips from this series? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

Week One Challenges:

Take a 10 minute walk at work.

I’m thankful that I have an opportunity to walk quite a bit during the week at work because I think I would lose my mind if I sat at a desk non-stop for eight hours. However this was on a Saturday, so I wasn’t in the office this day, but I made sure to still get my walk in on this day outside.

Spend an hour reading your favorite book.

Sundays are for reading #amiright? I love being able to sit down with a good book and this day was no different. It was nice to be able to enjoy reading without rushing, etc. It was sincerely therapeutic. I’ve been loving Big Magic from Elizabeth Gilbert. P.S. What books have you read recently that you’ve been loving? Make sure to share in the comment below!

Treat yourself to coffee from a local cafe.

Coffee and Monday go together like peanut butter and jelly. Today I visited a cute coffee shop and treated myself to a latte, which is something I definitely don’t do enough. It’s the little things in life that make a Monday enjoyable (like incredible coffee in the cute cafe).

Cook your favorite meal.

I’ve been cooking up a storm recently. I’m all about making fresh, whole meals that I truly enjoy. I wanted to treat myself to a meal I love and prep extra for some leftovers for the week, too. I made a pasta dish that could definitely be served in a restaurant (jokes).

Make a DIY face mask and pamper yourself.

My skin needed some TLC. So I treated it to a simple face mask with honey, sugar and olive oil. It’s a three ingredient mask that helps with any redness and also helps with brightening your skin as well. Honey works wonders for curing redness, acne, and help making your skin look its best.

Go for a hike on a trail near your home.

Get outside and walk somewhere new near your home. Explore a new hiking trail or a park that you’ve never been to before. Spending time outside does wonders for your health and well being, so take the time to enjoy and explore.

Journal for 20 minutes.

I have all different journal, but today I plan to sit down and write down whatever comes to mind. Stream of consciousness journaling is therapeutic and beneficial, and I’m excited to try this for the first time as part of this challenge. Journaling always helps me feel stress-free almost immediately, so I’ll be taking time today to write.

Week 2 Challenges:

Declutter your closet.

Do a random act of kindness.

Try a new hobby and practice it during the challenge.

Call/ FaceTime a family member to catch up.

Plan a staycation in your town for a weekend.

Turn off your phone for a night.

Write 5 things you’re thankful for.

What tasks did you enjoy the most from week one? Which tasks were the most difficult? Make sure to share your experiences in the comments below!

Wait, Fourth of July is TOMORROW?

2017, you’re flying by WAY too fast for my liking, and I’m sure other people agree. I can’t believe we’re more than halfway through the year. Although these next two months will be filled with work events, long weekends and so much more, I can say that I’m looking forward to the month ahead. So, I’m sharing five things I’m happy about now that it’s July.

1| Fourth of July

Hot dogs. Ice Cream. Backyard Games. Beer. Bonfires. Fireworks. And SO. MUCH. MORE. What’s not to love about celebrating your country all while enjoying time with family and friends? What are your plans for Fourth of July? Do you have a huge party? Or, do you keep it casual and hangout with some family? Do you have any holiday traditions around this time of year?

2| Weekend Visits

I had one of my best friends visit last weekend, and now I’m preparing for another friend to come later this month. Needless to say, we’re going to have a staycation and enjoy some local things in PA like visiting museums, touring beaches, take a boat tour, and more embarrassing tourist things!

3| Focusing on Goals

If you missed last month’s post, I talked about my six month update on my 2017 goals. Since then, I’ve been working to cross off more of my goals for the year, which I have done by reading 12 books, and focusing on my vision board, which you’ll see more coming next week when I launch my Vision Board series!

4| Living a Blissful Life

Whether you need a reminder because you’re in a valley in life, or your high on the highest mountain—there’s always room for bliss in your life. I’m looking forward to adding simple forms of bliss this month by making time for family and friends, and focusing some of my time to self care. How will you add some bliss to your life this month?

5| Summer Bucket Lists

It’s peak summertime, which means there are a lot of things I want to do this month like kayaking with friends, go to the beach, go to a local concert, take a day trip with Josh, and so much more. Summer is all about enjoying the extra daylight for fun activities, and time with friends and family. What’s on your summer bucket list? Make sure to share in the comments below!

Do you have any trips or fun activities planned for the month? What are you looking forward to in Jul? Make sure to share what you’re happy about now that it’s July in the comments below!

I’m hearing so many people talk about self care, and I absolutely LOVE it. That fact that we’re talking about something we all could use a little more of in our lives is incredible. Because it’s true, self care is important and making the time for self care in our lives is essential for living a blissful life.

I was inspired to create this challenge because although summer is viewed as a time to relax, it can also be a stressful season with weddings every weekend, work trips, events, parties, appointments, and everything in between that you truly don’t spend time to do things for yourself. I created this challenge to inspire YOU to take some time for yourself for 30 days in July, so you can feel all the bliss in your life.

This challenge is perfect if you want to:

1| Focus on self care.

2| Slow down and enjoy summer.

3| Put yourself first.

Make sure to follow along on Twitter so I can remind you of the daily challenge! Now let’s get into the challenges:

1| Take a 10 minute walk at work.

Take a break from work to get up and walk. You need a break from sitting all day.

2| Spend an hour reading your favorite book.

Escape your life and read about someone else’s.

3| Treat yourself to coffee from a local cafe.

Because coffee + a cute cafe = an awesome Instagram (and bliss).

4| Cook your favorite meal.

Take your time preparing your meal so you can actually enjoy it!

5| Make a DIY face mask and pamper yourself.

Pamper yourself on the cheap at home instead of that $70+ mani/pedi.

6| Go for a hike on a trail near your home.

Kick up those endorphins with a little workout and enjoy nature while you do it.

7| Journal for 20 minutes.

Write your problems, your to-do list..whatever it is—simply write.

8| Declutter your closet.

Because there are A LOT of things in there you don’t need or want. Trust me.

9| Do a random act of kindness.

Making someone happy will make YOU feel happy.

10| Try a new hobby and practice it during the challenge.

Try kickboxing, writing poems, painting, singing or playing an instrument. Whatever you want to do!

11| Call/ FaceTime a family member to catch up.

Sometimes all you need is a phone call to your mom or dad.

12| Plan a staycation in your town for a weekend.

Do the tourist things you would never do in your town. At least you can say you did it!

13| Turn off your phone for a night.

You’ll sleep SO much better, I promise!

14| Write 5 things you’re thankful for.

There’s always something to be thankful for.

15| Create a calming playlist and relax while you listen.

Even if you’re listening to soundscapes for three hours—you do you, girl.

16| Do yoga or Pilates for 30 minutes.

It’s challenging, but it’s worth it.

17| Plan a night out with friends.

Because friends are amazing and spending time with them will make you feel good.

18| Take a scenic drive.

Hop in line at Starbucks for an afternoon treat and take a drive to somewhere new.

19| Organize your digital life.

Waking up to 30 email ads is STRESSFUL. Unsubscribe, clear out the inbox and organize your laptop.

20| Write 5 things you love about yourself.

There are a million reasons, but stick to five for today <3

21| Treat yourself to your favorite dessert.

Realistically, you should be treating yourself to dessert every day…

22| Watch your favorite movie.

I know you can watch Pitch Perfect a million times, so go watch it!

23| Take a social media break.

BUT HOW?! Put your phone away and enjoy life…whatever it is you’re doing that day.

24| Meditate for 10 minutes.

Try guided meditation and focus on your breath. You will feel less stressed instantly.

25| Try an online class or webinar.

Instead of aimlessly scrolling on social media, spend an hour learning calligraphy, or anything else you want to learn.

26| Visit a chiropractor.

You WILL feel like a new human being. I swear.

27| Take a power nap.

Because naps. And Corrine said it’s okay.

28| Compliment a stranger.

As we’ve said before, doing something kind for someone else will make YOU feel good.

29| Two words: adult coloring.

Being an adult is hard. Coloring helps you forget about your adult issues.

30| Buy flowers and plants for your home and office.

Because plants give you life…literally. Having plants in your office can help with energy and your mood.

What challenges are you most excited about or nervous about? What do you hope to learn by participating in these challenges? Make sure to share in the comments below!

Life has peaks and valleys. There are times where we feel so high and on top of the world that we don’t ever want that feeling to stop, and there are times where life can have us feeling low and lost. There are many ways valleys can enter our lives that we have all experienced: rejection from a college, rejection from a promotion or job, or other unexpected changes that might interfere with previous plans (moving, changing jobs, beginning a relationship, etc.)

Some people see valleys as “bumps in the road” or a setback. While this is true, I think it negatively illustrates the value of valleys. I used to think a valley was the universe laughing at me struggling. Now, I view them more positively.

Yes, you may have gotten fired from your job; but you can use it as an opportunity to find a better job. Maybe one that pays more, or that offers more flexible hours, or where you can work from home. It’s still an opportunity.

You’ve plateaued after working hard for months on end to achieve your health and fitness goals. So what? Give yourself a week to relax and rest your body so it can work even harder. It’ll give you more motivation so you can get stronger. It’s an opportunity.

A few years ago, I experienced a “valley” when I applied to work at a local hospital. It was an opportunity I was excited about and had planned my entire summer around getting this job. Over a month past my “start date,” nothing progressed as far as paperwork or my medical clearance. Working at the hospital was my only plan for summer, and then I realized it wasn’t going to work out. I reached a valley I had no intention of being in.

Then I went through endless applications. I thought to myself, “I could go back to my old job.” But I didn’t enjoy my last job after four years. I decided to use this as a opportunity to find a job I loved. And I found it, and it paid far more than I intended. During the interview, they wanted to promote me to a higher paying position before I even began. It was a golden opportunity, and I said yes.

Fast forward a year later, and that same job lead me to my first, full-time marketing position that I’m currently working and loving today. I often think what would have happened if I ended up working at the hospital. Would I still be in a LDR with Josh? Would I have finished my Master’s? Who knows, but it’s incredible to think that begin rejected from something lead me to exactly where I needed to be. Every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being redirected to something better.

So how can YOU embrace your next valley?

1| Remember it’s temporary

If you’re going through a valley in your life, remember that your valley isn’t permanent. It won’t last forever. It’s a small stop along your journey, so treat it as such. Oftentimes, we get caught up with the negative moments in our lives that we don’t think about the positive things that could come from that experience.

2| There’s a bigger plan

You were rejected from your dream job that you’re more than qualified for. That’s horrible, and you’re probably feeling pretty sad about it, too. Take the time to go through the motions that come with rejection. But don’t let it keep you down. Remember that there’s a reason you weren’t hired for that job. You will be lead to the job you’re meant to work.

3| Opportunities are everywhere

Even in the midst of a valley and a negative situation, there is always room for opportunity.

But you have to remember to be open to the possibilities and the opportunities that could be presented to you in that season.

Think outside the box. Apply for something that is exciting and out of your comfort zone. You never know when an unexpected opportunity may present itself.

Even when we have reached a valley in life, it’s not necessarily negative. Sure, you might feel disappointed or confused on what your next step should be, but it’s easy to make a valley into a peak. All it takes is a little patience and time.

Have you experienced a “valley” in your life recently? How can you turn it into a peak? Make sure to share your stories and thoughts in the comments below!

About the Blogger

I believe it's important to find your bliss in life. You should do what makes your soul happy. I created this blog to bring a little bliss to your life with posts on beauty, fashion and life. Feel free to email me: theblissfullybrunetteblog@gmail.com